Fully electric bus, other electric vehicles launched

The Auto Expo Motor Show 2016 on Thursday saw the unveiling of a fully electric bus which has been indigenously developed by auto component maker JBM Auto and the launch of an electric two-wheeler and e-rickshaw by Lohia Auto.

The Auto Expo Motor Show 2016 on Thursday saw the unveiling of a fully electric bus which has been indigenously developed by auto component maker JBM Auto and the launch of an electric two-wheeler and e-rickshaw by Lohia Auto.

The electric bus, called Ecolife, has been developed by JBM Auto, which is mainly an auto component manufacturer, in partnership with European bus manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach SA. The bus is powered by lithium batteries, which are fast charging through pantograph, and runs 150-200 kms in 10-15 hrs of charging, the company claims.

Once in commercial production, the electric bus will be the second indigenous mass public transport product from JBM Group. The group had introduced an ultra-low-floor CNG bus called Citylife in the previous auto expo. The company is scheduled to deliver 105 Citylife buses to the Noida and Greater Noida administration for public transport needs.

Lohia Auto, which is a part of the Lohia Global group, launched an electric two-wheeler and a new range of cargo e-rickshaws. The two wheeler, called Oma Star Li, is the first lithium ion battery operated electric two wheeler, the company said. The company also showcased its first ‘high speed’ electric two wheeler at the Expo, which can clock a maximum speed of 60 km per hour compared to a maximum speed of 25 km per hour for its current models.

On the first day of the Expo, Japanese car maker Nissan had also announced expansion of its product-line with two more models this year, including an electric hybrid crossover model of its popular SUV the X-Trail. The electric crossover hybrid X-Trail will be the first fully electric SUV in the country.